The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has acknowledged the receipt of “numerous” hoax bomb threats directed at secretaries of state and state legislatures across the United States on Wednesday.
The threats, delivered through mass emails titled ‘Explosives inside of your State Capitol,’ triggered responses from law enforcement agencies in multiple states.
Emails Warn of Explosives in State Capitols
The FBI, in a statement, expressed awareness of the situation, emphasizing the seriousness of hoax threats as they pose risks to innocent lives.
The bureau clarified that, although there is no specific and credible information indicating a real threat, they are actively collaborating with local, state, and federal law enforcement to gather and act upon any threat information.
The threatening emails, sent at 7:45 a.m., claimed the placement of explosives inside state Capitol buildings and warned of imminent detonation. Law enforcement sources suspect that the threat originated from overseas, adding an international dimension to the incident.
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FBI Actively Collaborates in Response to Unsubstantiated Threats
State capitols in Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Oregon, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, New York, South Dakota, and South Carolina were among those targeted. Responding to the threats, Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams emphasized that acts of violence or threats would not hinder the essential work conducted in US and state capitols.
In Kentucky, the Capitol was evacuated as a precautionary measure following the receipt of the threatening email. However, a subsequent search by the Kentucky State Police found no explosives, allowing authorities to lift the lockdown. Similar procedures were enacted in various states, with buildings placed on lockdown until law enforcement deemed them safe.
The FBI’s statement on Wednesday encouraged the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activity or individuals to law enforcement. While the threats turned out to be hoaxes, the incident underscores the need for continuous security measures and cooperation to safeguard public spaces from potential threats, even in the absence of immediate credible danger.
Authorities across the nation continue to monitor and respond to such incidents to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens and government officials alike.
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